Cervical brace



A ril 21, 1970 L. YELLIN 3,507,273

CERVICAL BRACE Filed May 22, 19s? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 NVVE/VTOR LOU/SYELL/N A TTORNEYS.

April2l, 1970 Y L. YELLIN Y 3,

CERVICAL BRACE Filed May 22, 1967 r/as L l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENZ-ORLOU/S YELL/IV edg'a Z ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,507,273 CERVICAL BRA'CE Louis Yellin, 242 S. 17thSt., Philadelphia, Pa. Filed May 22, 1967, Ser. No. 640,041

Int. Cl. A6111 1/02; A61f /04 US. Cl. 12875 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a new and improved cervicalbrace and more particularly to an improved cervical brace which givesrigid support to the cervical spline to prevent flexion and hypertensionthereof and yet reduces discomfort of a wearer when talking, eating andotherwise moving his chin.

In order to provide adequate immobilization and transfer the weight ofthe head of the wearer of a cervical brace to the shoulders and trunk ofthe wearer, cervical braces have generally prevented movement of thechin of a wearer. This has resulted in great discomfort to the wearersof cervical braces with the result that it is often necessary forwearers to remove the brace while eating or engaging in prolongedconversation. For the brace to have the greatest salutory effect,removal of it should be kept to a minimum.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present inventlon to provide acervical collar which is comfortable for the wearer, may be worn overlong periods of time and will not restrict movement of the chin of awearer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cervicalbrace which relieves pressures on cervical nerves by supporting the headof the wearer, maintains front to back stability of the head of thewearer, and reduces discomfort of the wearer when eating or talking andavoids the need to remove the brace when movement of the chin isdesired.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improvedcervical brace which is highly effective in use and which can easily beput on and removed.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in thedrawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a person wearing the cervicalbrace of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the anterior frame of the cervical brace ofthe present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 33 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 44 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of a modified form of a cervicalbrace embodying the features of the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the cervical brace of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a top view of the cervical brace of FIGURE 5 taken alonglines 7-7 in FIGURE 5; and

the posts 48 and 50 respectively,

"ice

FIGURE 8 is a section view of the cervical brace of FIGURE 6 taken alonglines 8-8 in FIGURE 6.

Referring now to FIGURES 1-4 of the drawings wherein like referencenumerals refer to like structure throughout the several views, there isshown in FIGURE 1 a man generally indicated by the reference numeral 10.The man 10 is shown wearing the cervical brace 12 of the presentinvention. The cervical brace 13 consists of posterior bar 14 and ananterior frame shaped to fit the mandible of a wearer.

The anterior frame 16 includes a lower chest engaging member 18. Thelower chest engaging member 1 8 is composed of a a rigid metal sheet 20and a cushioning member 22 secured thereto by means of rivets 24. Thecushioning member 22 is composed of resilient material having a washablefabric thereabout. The cushioning member 22 conforms generally to theshape of the rigid metal sheet 20 and is larger than the sheet 20 sothat only the cushioning member 22 will engage the chest of a wearer.

The lower chest engaging member 18 has support arms 26 and 28 rigidlysecured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom. The support arms 26and 28 are made of rigid metal members which will not yield or flex whensupporting the weight of the head of a wearer. The support arms 26 and28 may be suitably secured to the rigid metal sheet 20 by means ofrivets 30. At their uppermost ends, the support arms 26 and 28 aresecured by rivets 32 to segments 34 and 36.

The segments 34 and 36 are attached to a further segment 38therebetween. The segments 34, 36 and 38 together define a substantiallyU-shaped structure adapted to fit the mandible of the man 10. Thesegments 34 and 36 are rigidly held in place and will not flex or yieldunder the weight of the mandible of a wearer. The segments 34 and 36have strong spring members 40 and 42 secured thereto, respectively. Thespring members 40 and 42 are secured to headed members 44 and 46 on thesegments 34 and 36, respectively. Posts 48 and 50 are provided onprojections 52 and 54, respectivel on the central segment 38. The springmembers 40 and 42 engage and also engage the bottom of the segment 38.

The segment 38 will normaliy be maintained in the position shown inFIGURE 2 and will be resiliently biased to be maintained in suchposition. However, the springs 40 and 42 will permit pivoting movementof the segment 38 thus permitting movement of the chin of a wearer.Movement of the chin will be permitted without sacrificing theeffectiveness of the cervical brace 12 since the segments 34 and 36 willbe rigidly retained in place.

The segments 34, 36 and 38 are composed of metal sheets 35, 37 and 39,respectively, and each has a cushioning member secured thereto. Eachcushioning member is composed of resilient material 56 having a washablefabric 58 thereabout.

The posterior bar 14 is provided with a flanged upper end 60 which iscurved to receive the base of the skull and thus prevent rotation of thehead of the wearer 10. The posterior bar 14 may also be composed of astrong metal sheet having a cushioning member secured thereto.

The posterior bar 14 may have a plurality of sets of straps 64 securedthereto. The straps 64 may be fixedly secured to the posterior bar ormay be removably secured thereto. The posterior bar 14 is secured to theanterior frame 16 by connecting the straps 64 to various sets of headedrivets 66, 68 and 70. As clearly illustrated in FIGURE 1, the straps 64have a plurality of holes 65 therein to provide for adjustment of thecervical brace 12 to suit the size and shape of various wearers.

' 3 The selective adjustment provided for by the cooperation of thestraps 64 with the headed rivets 66, 68 and 70 permits the brace 12 tobe rapidly put on by the wearer with little effort. Furthermore, thebrace may be rapidly removed by merely removing the straps 64 from theheaded rivets 66, 68 and 70.

It is readily seen that the cervical brace illustrated in FIGURES 1-4gives rigid support to the cervical spine of the wearer and alsoprevents rotation of the head of the wearer. The support provided by thecervical brace is necessary to prevent flexion and hypertension of thecervical spine. The discomfort to the wearer is reduced by permittingthe wearer to eat and talk Without suffering further discomfort, andwithout sacrificing the effectiveness of the necessary functionsperformed by the cervical brace.

FIGURES -8 illustrate another type of cervical brace utilizing theprinciples of the present invention. In FIG- URES 5-8 there isillustrated a cervical brace 80 comprising a substantially U-shapedcollar member 82. The U-shaped collar is open at one end thereof. Thecollar may be provided with a selectively adjustable strap fastener,such as Velcro, formed on mating surfaces of the strap and collar. Theuse of Velcro as the means of achieving selective securement of thecollar on the wearer permits a wearer to place the collar into positionby himself and also permits accurate adjustment of the collar.

The collar 82 is given its shape by a flexible plastic former 84 whichis generally U-shaped. A cushioning member 86 is secured to the former84 by means of rivets 88. The cushioning member comprises an inner bodyportion of resilient foam 90 and an outer covering of a Washable fabricmaterial 92.

To provide rigid reinforcement of the former 84, a U-shaped metal bar issecured thereto. The rivets 88 not only secure the cushionmember 86 tothe former 84 but also serve to secure the metal bar 94 to the former84.

A plurality of pairs of support arms 96 and 98 extend upwardly from themetal bar 94. The arms 96 and 98 have segments 102 and 104 of a mandiblesupporting member 100 secured thereto. The segments 102 and 104 arerigidly retained in their desired orientation by the support arms 96.

The segments 102 and 104 have a further segment 106 therebetween. Thesupport arms 98 include hinged members 99 thereon and permit movement ofthe segment 106 of the mandible supporting member 100. The segment 106is normally spring-biased by means of strong springs 108 to the positionshown in FIGURE 6. Should the wearer of the collar desire to speak oreat, it is unnecessary to remove the collar and the segment 106 willmove with the chin of the wearer. The hinges on the support arms 98permit the segment 106 to move in the direction of the arrows in FIGURES5 and 8.

The mandible support member 100 may be composed of a tough wearresistant plastic and may have a cushioning member secured on the innersurface thereof which engages the mandible of a wearer.

The principles of the present invention are not limited to a single typeof cervical brace and may be utilized on all braces which have mandiblesupporting members. The present invention reduces discomfort of thewearer of a brace when talking or eating.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of theinvention.

I claim:

1. A cervical brace including a cervical brace frame, a mandible supportmember adapted to support a mandible of a wearer, means for attachingsaid mandible support member to said frame, said mandible support memberhaving a plurality of segments, means permitting movement of one of saidsegments, said movable segments being located between the remaining ofsaid plurality of segments, said remaining segments being stationarywith respect to the frame and being adapted to remain in contact withthe sides of the mandible of the wearer.

2. A cervical brace as set forth in claim 1 including spring meansconnected to said movable segment of said mandible supporting member forpermitting the chin of a wearer of a cervical brace to move while saidremaining segments provide a stationary support for at least a portionof the mandible of a wearer.

3. A cervical brace as set forth in claim 1 wherein said meanspermitting movement of said movable segment includes spring means formaintaining said movable segment in chin-engaging position, said springmeans permitting movement of said movable segment upon movement of thechin of a wearer.

4. A cervical brace as set forth in claim 1 including at least onesupport arm for suporting said movable segment, said support arm havinga hinge thereon to permit movement of said movable segment.

5. A cervical brace as set forth in claim 4 wherein said hinge includesa spring means for biasing said movable segment against the chin of awearer.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,088,207 7/1937 Kaiser 15S1753,364,926 1/ 1968 Alderson 128-75 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner J.D. YASKO, Assistant Examiner A US. Cl. X.R. 128-87

